Report Basics

What is a report? A report is a means of visualizing data derived from one or more sources. Typically, these sources have always been datasets coming from T-SQL statements or stored procedures. But with the advent of the mapping features in SSRS 2008 R2 (covered in this chapter in the section “Working with Maps”), reports can now rely on information stored in ESRI (geospatial) data files.

A report may

• Display data-bound and non–data-bound controls, offering static and interactive views on the data

• Include a header, footer, table of contents (called a document map), links, images, and linear art (lines and rectangles)

• Make use of various layouts, styles, and file formats

• Include sorting, filtering, and grouping functionality ...

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